It’s hard to motivate yourself when you know there are only bad options. No matter which you choose, it won’t be what you need. Some paths are still less shitty than others. But most of them end in more or less the same place.
The path I tell myself I’ve chosen is one of gradually letting go, of the obsessions, cravings, and regrets that consume me. But also of the hopes and dreams that I cling to to keep me going. Perhaps whoever I’ll be at the end of that road is less miserable.
But that path requires a lot of work, which I never get to. Instead I lie in bed, and try to fantasize some way that my longings can be fulfilled. Because I don’t want to be less miserable. The prospect doesn’t motivate me. I want to be actually happy. And I know that’s not possible.
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it’s possible that when you succeed at letting go of the unrealistic desires, that might make room for realistic ones. Though, that might be scary because realistic achievable desires are harder to avoid
you’re still a long way from the sun setting on the possibility of happiness, it’s just the things you’re seeking now aren’t working (I assume)… just because you don’t exactly know what is best doesn’t make it unknowable. Look at what the current fantasies do for you, how they make you feel, and then consider other paths to that
It is possible, just hard to imagine or believe in. And it’s hard to use the possibility of something you don’t care about right now as an incentive to work towards.
I think my frame of reference for happiness or contentment would have to shift so completely that I’d essentially be a very different person.
My current pattern of fantasy certainly doesn’t work for me, and ultimately leaves me feeling empty, craving for something that can actually sustain me. But as I said, I think the only real alternative is trying to let go of attachment and desire altogether.
Kind of got a similar problem. Sleeping like 10 hours a day. Whenever I try to get myself up, I just can’t do it. Being asleep is easier than trying to make it better. I hope you are able to get the motivation to pull through. Who knows, maybe the you at the end of the road will be a happy one.
Yep, just getting through the day becomes a problem. I wish I had a solution to this, but I think it’s generally a sign something has gone seriously wrong that needs some kind of outside intervention/help.
Yup, same feeling, different life issues. how do we get motivated when none of our options seem great? and the probability of reaching the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow seems as likely as catching a leprechaun.
I waste a lot of time trying to talk myself into getting up and doing things. I think the reality is that I’ll generally do the bare minimum I can get away with to avoid things falling apart more rapidly. Anything beyond that is a small achievement.
I feel like thats the point I am at also, I’m tired, its been 57 years and 55 fighting it. I have no options, no work no friends no money. I have a dog and adore her and feel bad that I think of leaving her. I just have no more motivation to try and pickup the pieces for the umpteenth time.
you’ve been depressed since age 2?